Paddy Sserunjonji, famously known as Sobi and a self-proclaimed former leader of the notorious Kifeesi gang, was showered with bullets in a chaotic land dispute gone wrong in Maddu, Gomba.
The incident unfolded on land claimed by Kalisa in Kibaale LC one, Kigumba parish, Maddu subcounty in Gomba district. Approximately 50 individuals, armed with an assortment of weapons, clashed over conflicting claims to the same piece of land. Sobi, caught in the crossfire, tragically lost his life.
Superintendent of Police Karim Majid, the acting Katonga region police spokesperson, confirmed the incident, stating, "It is confirmed that Paddy Sserunjogi aka Sobi was killed by a mob."
The roots of the dispute trace back to the alleged purchase of the land by Kalisa for shs100 million in 2007. However, it was revealed that only shs20 million had been paid, leading to suspicions of a transaction with the wrong party. Legal complexities arose when another group, asserting their lineage to the late Paul Kibi, presented land titles, prompting a court battle.
The conflict escalated when one faction hired individuals from Kisenyi, Kampala, to clear the disputed land. Monday's clash resulted in Sobi's untimely demise.
Sserunjonji gained notoriety in 2017 as the confessed leader of Kifeesi, a gang notorious for terrorizing Kampala with activities ranging from petty theft and armed robberies to murder. Despite multiple arrests, Sobi and his gang repeatedly secured release on bail, continuing their criminal operations.
Beyond his criminal endeavors, Sobi was implicated in various cases of land grabbing, allegedly collaborating with influential figures to acquire valuable plots nationwide. His involvement in forceful land seizures, including the fencing off of a swamp in Nakuwadde village and falsely posing as an SFC operative to claim a five-acre plot in Mukono, showcased his brazen tactics.
In his last high-profile interview on NBS TV, Sserunjogi revealed political ambitions. However, his demise in the Maddu land dispute marks the end of a notorious figure whose criminal exploits and involvement in land controversies have left a lasting impact on Uganda. Police are currently on the scene gathering details, including potential injuries and additional casualties.
